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Dr. Jessica Rizk, PhD, OCT

Research, Policy, & Strategy | Education and Workforce Systems, Signal49 Research

I research how education systems respond to the biggest shifts of our time, and right now, that means AI.

I work at the intersection of education, skills, and the future of learning. My research explores how learners build skills, how institutions adapt to technological and economic change, and what it actually takes to prepare people for the world they’re entering. A lot of my recent work focuses on how AI is reshaping education from K-12 through postsecondary and into the workforce.

I translate research into action. I shape policy conversations, inform program design, and partner with schools, institutions, and governments to build learning systems that are more responsive, inclusive, and future-ready.

What keeps me grounded: I’ve spent years teaching in K-12 classrooms and postsecondary settings while working in parallel on research and policy. That dual experience sharpens how I think about what actually works for learners and educators, not just what looks good on paper.

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM

Second Day Oct 29

Option 1: C21 Canada Spotlight Session:

Topic: The State of EdTech—Navigating AI, Screen Time and Mobile Phones for Human Flourishing

Room: Rotunda

Moderators: Dr. Tom D'Amico